Iccup is starting its TENTH season. This is rarefied air people, as PGT also ran for ten seasons before its demise. However, iCCup is still going strong, and has added a bunch of new features to the site. It looks like they are going for more of the social networking angle.
I just wanted to make a thread that said THANK YOU to iCCup. I don't always agree with how they do things, and I am not sure which city will be banned off the earth next, but one thing is for certain: without a competitive place like iCCup to play, StarCraft would be on life support. I can't imagine the ridiculous and tedious work it must take to run that place, so on behalf of all of us who went through withdrawal the last couple days, to those who make it possible.
I talked to Yellow-Ant on msn today quickly, as he was in the middle of troubleshooting some bugs in the new features. Nothing revolutionary in our chat, but I thought I would share.
Manifesto7: Hi, this is Manifesto7 from TL.net. Do you have time to do a quick chat about the new season and about the new features on the site?
Yello-Ant: Hello, my english isnt best, but since I'm on the developer team, and many features were concepted by me, so it seems im the right person
Manifesto7: No problem about the English, do you have time now, or can I contact you at a better time?
Yello-Ant: lets try it now ^^
Manifesto7: Sure sounds good. Im curious what the goal of iccup is for season 10.
Yello-Ant: As always, keep our users gaming expirience on top ^^
Manifesto7: The new additions on the site are more social. The ones I see are blogs, picture galleries, spells, etc. Which is your favorite new addition?
Yello-Ant: Sure i like them all, they parts of one chain, but i personaly love our galleries.
Manifesto7: As a developer, what is your biggest challenge with iccup right now.
Yello-Ant: There are so many ideas, and plans, the biggest challenge is to find time and resources to make it true.
Manifesto7: At the end of season 10, what will you consider a "successful season" and what is the future goals for iccup for the next year or so?
Yello-Ant]: The season will be successful when we not only keep the competetive ladder alive and running, but also some how will make it better. And for this year, i think bring on another level our ICCup. TV witch only starts now and of course get the site out from beta.
Manifesto7: Can you tell me more about the iccup tv?
Yello-Ant: We want make some sort of gamers tv, right now this section leaded by one of the best commentators this days Kenny, and we getting more people on board . Since there no free gaming television out there this days, we seems have to make one ^^
Manifesto7: What kind of games do you want to broadcast? clan matches / nation wars / koreans / everything? Also, will you be using the livestream site, or different streaming technology?
Yello-Ant: Mostly we want bring to users everything interesting what is going on around, in easy to access form. For now we have partnership with Justin TV, they support our idea in many ways.
Manifesto7: Ok, that is cool. I remember the first tournament on justin tv at the beginning of august. Is there anything else people should know about the site as it starts season 10? Also, anyone you want to say a special thanks to?
Yello-Ant: There are more ways to express to users themself, not only by playing games, also communicate with friends, create content, share of gaming expiriense in blogs, and get awards.
Special thanks of course goes to Unk our main developer, Python_Max who create and support our Anti-Hack launcher, InGhost who update StarCraft, WarCraft server, x64 who working on DotA section very hard, also iCCup.Tesla, Mai-K, JustRp, Esc4ton, and thanks to all peoples who help iCCup. <3
Manifesto7: kk, thanks. this is a short interview, but I know you are busy. Thanks a lot for your time.
Yello-Ant: Thanks for you time as well
Manifesto7: Good luck with the season.